Former Columbus Cop Avoids Jail Time

Yolanda Black Burton, a three year veteran of the Columbus Police Department, will apparently avoid jail time after being sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Clay Land to five years of probation for her role in a scheme to defraud Progressive Insurance out of more than $9,000.  A WTVM report said that Black Burton plead guilty in February admitting that she and her ex-beau hatched a scheme to falsify the theft of his motorcycle and his automobile so that he could help with her mortgage payment.

“When he was rehashing the case in court Thursday, Land said Black Burton needed help with her mortgage payments and her ex could not help her as long as he had his car and motorcycle payments so they both equally came up with the plan to have them stolen and file a false claim. Land said it is inexcusable for a police officer to not notify the proper authorities of the crime and then try to cover it up.”

Black Burton’s ex-boyfriend claimed he had no idea she actually executed the plan until after she called him to announce that it was done.  Regardless, he was also sentenced to three years of probation for his part in the scheme and ordered to repay Progressive Insurance $9703 in restitution.